Perry keynotes Conservative Summit in Denver

Perry said in Aspen last week that he was "fine with" states allowing gays to marry, though he personally opposes same-sex unions. Santorum told about 1,000 people at the Western Conservative Summit Friday that New York "destroyed marriage" and that states should not be permitted to allow gay unions.

Perry was on the schedule to address the crowd later Friday evening. Perry has not declared his candidacy but is widely expected to join the race. The governor did not answer reporters' questions in advance of his address as he signed books for attendees.